Publication Date: January 25, 2011
Source: bought
Buy It: Amazon / Borders / Barnes & Noble

The blacksmith would marry her.

The woodcutter would run away with her.

The werewolf would turn her into one of its own.

Valerie's sister was beautiful, kind, and sweet. Now she is dead. Henry, the handsome son of the blacksmith, tries to console Valerie, but her wild heart beats fast for another: the outcast woodcutter, Peter, who offers Valerie another life far from home.

After her sister's violent death, Valerie's world begins to spiral out of control. For generations, the Wolf has been kept at bay with a monthly sacrifice. But now no one is safe. When an expert Wolf hunter arrives, the villagers learn that the creature lives among them--it could be anyone in town.

It soon becomes clear that Valerie is the only one who can hear the voice of the creature. The Wolf says she must surrender herself before the blood moon wanes...or everyone she loves will die.

Based on a screenplay written by David Leslie Johnson. --Goodreads

This book was just okay. I was expecting greatness, because the movie trailers for Red Riding Hood look gorgeous. But even after reading this book and finding that it was just okay, I am still desperately looking forward to the movie and simply can’t wait to see how it turns out.

I’d have to say, out of all honesty, this book was completely plot-driven. It barely gave me time to breathe. Between making out with Peter, going to Grandma’s house, and talking to wolves, I could NOT put this book down. The plot was fantastic! While I was reading, I kept saying, “This is going to make a really good movie.” But as a book, it needed to slow down and give me some description or something, because as a book it wasn’t working.


Above all that, the writing style was detached from the story. There was really no description to anything. I still don’t understand the village’s layout (whereas, if I was watching the movie, I don’t think it would bother me that much). The writing style was just not in the zone; it felt like an outsider’s view (and I am not talking about the fact that it is in third person). (But, now that I think about it, I think it would have been much better in first person so Valerie could have told her own story.)

The ending just ended. I really don’t want to give anything away, but for those whom have read it, you know what I’m talking about. If you wished there was something more to the ending, like I do, there is. You just have to go HERE, where they will post the secret last chapter that never made it into the book. So, now I have two things to look forward to: the movie (which is going to be awesome, trailer below!) and the real last chapter!!

First Sentence:

"From the towering heights of the tree, the little girl could see everything."

Red Riding Hood by Sarah Blakley-Cartwright, p. 3

Rating:

Cover: 3
Characters: 2
Plot: 5
Writing Style: 2
Ending: 3